COLTS ERA BEGINS; RAVENS BARELY BEAT HURRICANE KATRINA

By Joe Platania

1947 -- The Baltimore Colts played their first-ever preseason game, in Hershey, Pa., losing to the Buffalo Bills, 29-20.

1949 -- Ravens senior community/public relations vice president Kevin Byrne was born in Cleveland.

1964 -- The Colts traded wideout R.C. Owens and defensive back Andy Nelson to the New York Giants for running back Joe Don Looney, among other considerations.

1971 -- The Colts lost a preseason game to the Detroit Lions, 23-20, a game in Ann Arbor, Mich., during which author George Plimpton took a few snaps at quarterback for the Lions.

1976 -- During the only overtime preseason game in Colts history, the New Orleans Saints pulled out a 26-20 win at Memorial Stadium.

1988 -- Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, an undrafted Ravens rookie defensive lineman, was born in Youngstown, Ohio.

1989 -- Ravens backup linebacker Josh Bynes was born in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.

1997 -- Among a wave of final cuts the Ravens made in training camp was undrafted Maine guard Mike Flynn, who would persevere and make the team, spending roughly a decade on the team's offensive line.

1998 -- The Ravens placed Towson University running back Tony Vinson on injured reserve with a shoulder problem. The team also cut tight end Cam Quayle, who was that year's "Mr. Irrelevant," the last pick in that year's draft.

2000 -- The Ravens completed a 4-0 preseason and won their 12th straight August contest by beating the New York Giants, 28-24.

2001 -- Taking the field at home for the first time since winning Super Bowl XXXV, the Ravens blew a 17-point lead and fell to the Carolina Panthers, 20-17.

2003 -- The Ravens and Washington Redskins met during the preseason for the first time, with the Redskins winning, 24-3, at FedEx Field.

2005 -- During the last sporting event held at the Louisiana Superdome before Hurricane Katrina hit the city 36 hours later, the Ravens beat the New Orleans Saints, 21-6.

2007 -- A thunderstorm knocked out power to FedEx Field and canceled the Ravens-Redskins preseason game midway through the third quarter, with the Redskins winning, 13-7.

2008 -- Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco got his first start as a Raven during a preseason game at St. Louis after Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith was found to have a throat and lung illness.

2009 -- In the return of former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan to Baltimore, the Ravens' defense broke up a late end-zone pass to beat the New York Jets, 24-23.

Posted Aug. 21, 2012